Carlos Beltran celebrates with his St. Louis Cardinals teammates after a clinching 9-0 victory in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. The Cards will face the Boston Red Sox or Detroit Tigers in the Fall Classic. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Winning battery

Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and Michael Wacha enjoy the postgame presentation of the NL championship trophy. Wacha was named series MVP for his two stellar outings. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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First-timer

Carlos Beltran celebrates after the Cardinals' Game 6 victory. Beltran adds to his postseason legend with another strong game at the plate; more important for him, Beltran reaches the World Series for the first time. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Triumphant

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina reacts after Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis strikes out to end the NLCS. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Feeling blue

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly looks around the dugout in the eighth inning. By that point, LA's fate had been pretty much sealed. (David J. Phillip/AP)

Fans cheer as St. Louis starting pitcher Michael Wacha walks back to the dugout after retiring the Dodgers in the fourth inning. Wacha, a rookie, again was brilliant, tossing seven shutout innings. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Disappointing night

Clayton Kershaw is visibly upset after being taken out of the game in the fifth inning. The Dodgers' ace left with his team trailing 5-0. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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On his belly

Cardinals third baseman David Freese slides into home in the third as Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis and pitcher Clayton Kershaw chase down Yasiel Puig's wild throw from the outfield. (David J. Phillip/AP)

St. Louis leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter celebrates after scoring from second on a base hit by Carlos Beltran in the third inning. St. Louis scored four times in the frame against Clayton Kershaw. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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The turn

The Dodgers' Carl Crawford is out at second as St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Carpenter turns a double play on a ball hit by Mark Ellis in the first inning. Crawford had led off the game with an infield single. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Man in motion

This multiple-exposure photo shows Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throwing during the second inning. A hologram Kershaw probably would have done better than the flesh-and-blood version. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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Best fans?

The St. Louis faithful get riled up at the start of Game 6. Deduct points for the spelling error on the sign, though, (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Take it in stride

Dodgers players Yasiel Puig, left, and Adrian Gonzalez hold up disparaging signs they were presented before Game 6 in St. Louis. Both players had been criticized for showing emotion in games at LA. The two autographed the artwork. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

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By the hair of his . . . ya know

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Brian Wilson yells after striking out St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran in the eighth inning of Game 5. The Dodgers went on to win, 6-4, and force a Game 6 in St. Louis on Friday. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Bummer

Cardinals players watch from the dugout during the eighth inning. St. Louis mounts an unsuccessful rally in the top of the ninth against LA closer Kenley Jansen. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Heading for home

Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis rounds the bases after hitting a home run off Cardinals relief pitcher Edward Mujica in the seventh inning. LA ends its NLCS home-run drought by going deep four times in Game 5. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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Hand for C.C.

Los Angeles' Carl Crawford is congratulated after hitting a home run in the fifth inning. The Dodgers use the long ball to take a series-extending 6-4 victory in Game 5. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Twin takeout

LA's Mark Ellis (14) tries to break up a double play as he gets tangled with Cardinals infielders Pete Kozma (38) and Matt Carpenter (13) during the third inning. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Sawed off

Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams' bat splits in two, but the ball gets through the infield for a single in the third inning. (Chris Carlson/AP)

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In there

Adrian Gonzalez scores from second base on Juan Uribe's single in the second inning as Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina awaits a throw from center fielder Jon Jay. (Morry Gash/AP)

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Out of reach

Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma can't get to Zack Greinke's grounder, which turns into an RBI single in the second inning. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

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Helping himself

Los Angeles starter Zack Greinke is no slouch at the plate; he collected an RBI single off St. Louis starter Joe Kelly in the second inning of Game 5. (Chris Carlson/AP)

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It's game time

Actor Ken Jeong tries to rally the crowd during Game 5 of the NLCS. The Dodgers won, so that must have worked, right?. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

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Celebration time

Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran, right, hugs fellow outfielder Shane Robinson after St. Louis' 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series. The Cards lead the series three games to one. Robinson slammed a pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning. (David J. Phillip/AP)

A pivotal play in Game 4: Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma tags out Dodgers baserunner Nick Punto on a pickoff at second base in the seventh inning. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Middle man

Dodgers baserunner Yasiel Puig is out at second as Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter turns a double play on a ball hit by Juan Uribe in the sixth inning. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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Didn't see that coming

Cardinals pinch hitter Shane Robinson hits an improbable home run off J.P. Howell in the seventh inning. Robinson, a reserve outfielder, has five career home runs in 386 regular-season plate appearances. (Chris Carlson/AP)

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Stranded

Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig makes his way back to the dugout after pitcher Ricky Nolasco struck out with the bases loaded to end the second inning. Puig would figure in the Dodgers' two-run rally in the fourth inning. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

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Alone with his thoughts

Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco sits on the bench during the third inning of Game 4. Nolasco allowed three runs in four innings of work and took the loss. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Touch 'em all

The Cardinals' Matt Holliday rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Dodgers starter Ricky Nolasco in the third inning of Game 4. Holliday's drive gives the Redbirds a 3-0 lead. (Chris Carlson/AP)

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On the hill

Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn delivers to the plate during the first inning of Game 4. Lynn works into the sixth inning and gains credit for the win. (Jeff Gross/AP)

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Past and present

Former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda throws the ceremonial first pitch to manager Don Mattingly before Game 4. Lasorda was a left-handed pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the mid-1950s. Mattingly was lefthanded-throwing first baseman for the Yankees. (Chris Carlson/AP)

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Winner, winner

Nick Punto (7) and Kenley Jansen (74) celebrate after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in Game 3 of the National League championship series in Los Angeles. LA still trails the series two games to one. (David J. Phillip/AP)

Dodgers reliever Brian Wilson celebrates in the dugout after throwing a scoreless eighth inning in Game 3. Wilson sets up closer Kenley Jansen, who records the save with a perfect ninth. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Parallel Puig

Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig can't catch this looper by St. Louis' David Freese during the fifth inning. The hit is the Cardinals' first of the game. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Let's go!

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez reacts after hitting a run-scoring double during the fourth inning of Game 3. The hit gives LA a 1-0 lead against St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Premature celebration

Yasiel Puig thinks he's homered in the fourth inning, but the ball only hits off the right-field fence. Puig settles for an RBI triple. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

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Mound master

Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu throws during the first inning of Game 3. Ryu shuts out the Cardinals over seven innings and earns the victory. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Star-spangled start

Fireworks are displayed during the national anthem before Game 3 of the National League championship series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (Jae C. Hong/AP)

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Two for the Cardinals

Catcher Yadier Molina lets loose after the Dodgers' Andre Ethier strikes out to end the Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. The Cardinals' 1-0 victory puts them ahead 2-0 series, which moves to Los Angeles for the next three games. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Molina and teammates mark their 1-0 victory in Game 2. (Chris Carlson/AP)

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Tough to take

Dodgers rookie Yasiel Puig covers his eyes during the seventh inning. Puig has yet to deliver in key situations, striking out with runners in scoring position. LA is held to two runs in two games and without a run since the third inning of Game 1. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Only run needed

David Freese pops up after his slide into home plate after scoring on Jon Jay's sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It would be the only run of Game 2. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

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In the shadows

Dodgers left Carl Crawford hits during the first inning of Game 2. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

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Michael Wacha

Michael Wacha continues his run of terrific pitching performances. He allows no runs in Game 2, with the highlight coming when he strikes out Juan Uribe with the bases loaded in the sixth. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mark Ellis leaps over St. Louis Cardinals' Carlos Beltran to turn a double play on a ball hit by Matt Holliday during the 4th inning. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

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Safe

This play nearly cost the Cardinals dearly, but the Dodgers failed to take advantage. Pete Kozma dives for an errant throw from Matt Carpenter. Runner Clayton Kershaw went to third base, leaving the Dodgers with two runners in scoring position with no outs. Wacha got out of the jam without allowing a run. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)

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Fast start

Matt Carpenter reacts after tripling to start the first inning. The Cardinals failed to score. (David J. Phillip/AP)

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Into the never

Jon Jay drops his bat as he runs to first during the second inning. (Charlie Neibergall/AP)